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Author Topic: Skokie Lanes closing...  (Read 11451 times)

DukeHarding

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Skokie Lanes closing...
« on: September 29, 2006, 09:45:10 AM »
Rumour has it that Skokie Lanes is closing.
Nice small center located in Skokie, IL, suburb of Chicago.
Seems like a lot of the smaller centers are closing up.
It's getting harder and harder to fill leagues.
I threw my first bowling ball there 50+ years ago.
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Duke Harding

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BrunsMike

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2006, 05:57:33 PM »
quote:
Rumour has it that Skokie Lanes is closing.
Nice small center located in Skokie, IL, suburb of Chicago.
Seems like a lot of the smaller centers are closing up.
It's getting harder and harder to fill leagues.
I threw my first bowling ball there 50+ years ago.
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Duke Harding

SkypeID: dukeharding

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"A Great Bowler thinks only of what's in Front of Him."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bowling Coaches Web Site Link


I heard the same thing last night while at sunset lanes from a few other guys. I cant remember if ive bowled there or not in the past, Ive been to 300+ bowling centers in the last 18 years. Sorry to hear the bad news.
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Mike Zadler
Formerly known as IL_Bowler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 207
Thur. Nite Ave: 208
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Mike Zadler

Rick Wunder

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2006, 11:23:59 AM »
Although I didn't throw my first ball there, I have thrown many between approx. 1986 and 1998.  It is one of the closest bowling alleys (bowling center is not appropriate in this case ) to my home.  Brothers and owners John (RIP) and Jim Hammersmith have done a great job with the old place over the years.

I never bowled in a league there that John and Jim didn't bowl in, and I bowled in six different leagues over the years.  Their mechanic is a part-timer, who just comes in during the day three days a week for preventive maintenance, etc.  If there was a stop during league, either John or Jim (or both, if it was really serious) would stop bowling and go to the back to take care of it.

I stay in touch with a couple of the guys I used to bowl with there, and I have heard about the impending fate of the old ten-laner.  It's a shame that it will be closing.

One more thing - the USBC tournament will probably take a hit because of this, since there is always a group of thirty guys from Skokie Lanes that goes each year on the first weekend in March.
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DukeHarding

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2006, 12:46:24 PM »
Rick,
When I lived in Skokie. Skoie Lanes was the only alley.
Closest other house was Niles Bowl, which housed some great men's leagues in the late 50s, early 60s.

All Star, Oakton Bowl, and Orchard Twin Bowl hadn't opened yet.

They're all gone now.

Bob Just was the owner when I bowled at Skokie Lanes.
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Duke Harding

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jrbowler

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2006, 04:15:37 PM »
Where is Skokie Lanes.  Was it called Skokie Lanes?? I have a uncle who lives in Skokie and never knew of it.
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DukeHarding

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2006, 04:20:48 PM »
quote:
Where is Skokie Lanes.  Was it called Skokie Lanes?? I have a uncle who lives in Skokie and never knew of it.

It was by the old VFW Hall, and St. Peter's Church near downtown Skokie, on a side street (don't recall the name). Few blocks from the police station. Near Niles Center Road.
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Duke Harding


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jrbowler

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2006, 04:22:35 PM »
Okay thanks.  The only one I knew was off Dempster. Brunswick house.
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jimsey

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2006, 04:24:19 PM »
Duke

Be careful, your age is showing.  Hard to believe that Skokie had that many centers at one time. However, you did miss a few other very close establishments like Gaby Hartnets in Lincolnwood and Classic in Morton Grove.  I remember my dad being able to give directions in the Skokie and near by suburbs by proximity of some of the local bowling centers.
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DukeHarding

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2006, 05:36:39 PM »
quote:
Duke

Be careful, your age is showing.  Hard to believe that Skokie had that many centers at one time. However, you did miss a few other very close establishments like Gaby Hartnets in Lincolnwood and Classic in Morton Grove.  I remember my dad being able to give directions in the Skokie and near by suburbs by proximity of some of the local bowling centers.


I'm almost as old as dirt....
I bowled my first adult league at Gabby's, in 1965. A VFW league.
I bowled at Classic in my first mixed league.
I played pool at Oakton Bowl, they had a great pool room.

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Duke Harding


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"A Great Bowler thinks only of what's in Front of Him."
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DanH78

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2006, 07:45:56 PM »
I wonder if had anything to do with that stupid smoking ban a few years back.  They had to change the rules so that only those 18+ could enter, regardless of being with a parent or not.
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What are you gonna do?  Beat me with your Jesus stick?
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Rick Wunder

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Re: Skokie Lanes closing...
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2006, 09:12:19 AM »
quote:

It was by the old VFW Hall, and St. Peter's Church near downtown Skokie, on a side street (don't recall the name). Few blocks from the police station. Near Niles Center Road.


The name of the street is Floral.  It is the first side street west of downtown Skokie off of Oakton.  Skokie Lanes is a couple blocks (give or take) north of Oakton on Floral at Cleveland.

It's not easy to find, even if you're looking for it.  I had a guy come in to sub in a league with me one time.  Even though I gave him directions to the place, he had to drive around the block twice before he spotted it.
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